Advanced topics : Oncidium, every step from scratch to your hands

Oncidium orchids are widely admired for their diverse shapes, colors, and beauty. The breeding and production process is highly scientific, involving hybrid selection, industrial-scale tissue culture, and careful planting and care.

Where Do Oncidium Varieties Come From: Hybrid Selection and Technical Details

Oncidium orchids belong to the Orchidaceae family and exhibit great variability. Through hybrid breeding, new varieties are constantly being created. The goal is to develop new plants with specific traits, such as flower shape, color, fragrance, and resistance to diseases or weather conditions.

The Hybridization Process

• Parent Selection: Breeders choose parent plants with desirable traits, such as vibrant colors, beautiful flower shapes, or fast growth rates.
  
  
• Pollination: Male pollen is transferred to the female plant’s stigma. This requires expertise to ensure success.
  
  
• Pod Development: Once pollination is successful, the female plant forms a pod, taking around 6-9 months to develop and containing thousands of tiny seeds.
  
  
• Sterile Sowing: Since orchid seeds lack stored nutrients, they must be grown in sterile conditions.
  
  
• Seedling Selection: Once germinated, seedlings are selected based on their growth and characteristics.
  
  

How to Mass Propagate After Selection: Tissue Culture Techniques

Once superior Oncidium varieties have been selected and tested, tissue culture is widely used for mass propagation. This asexual reproduction method ensures that all offspring share the exact genetic characteristics of the parent plant.

Key Steps in Tissue Culture

• Selecting Mother Plant Tissue: A small part of the mother plant, such as the stem tip or leaf, is selected and sterilized.
  
  
• Induction Culture: Tissue samples are placed in a nutrient and hormone-rich medium to encourage shoot formation.
  
  
• Differentiation and Proliferation: The shoots are divided and placed into different media to promote further growth.
  
  
• Rooting Culture: Seedlings are transferred to a rooting medium to develop strong root systems.
  
  
• Acclimatization and Transplanting: Rooted plants are moved to a greenhouse to gradually adapt to external environments.
  
  

How to Plant After Acclimatization: Oncidium’s Growing Conditions and Cultivation Tips

Key Growing Points

• Light: Oncidium orchids thrive in ample indirect light but should be protected from direct sunlight.
  
  
• Air Circulation: Good airflow prevents pests and promotes healthy growth.
  
  
• Water Management: They require consistent moisture but should not be overwatered to prevent root rot.
  
  
• Temperature and Humidity: Ideal daytime temperatures range between 23-25°C, with a slight nighttime drop.
  
  

Time and Cost: Every Stage from Zero to Mature Plant

• Hybridization and Selection: 3-5 years to select stable and superior varieties.
  
  
• Tissue Culture: 12-18 months for propagation and rooting.
  
  
• Planting and Care: 1-2 years to reach flowering maturity.
  
  

For hobbyists, the process may be simpler but still requires patience and commitment.